The group is lead to a room near the training room and given some privacy once they were all double-checked for weapons. Obviously, all of his companions were pretty sure Afton was going to trash Hardin, but strangely, the only person who looked worried was Veronica...

"Something up?" he asks while sipping some purified water from a bottle. ​​

Veronica slowly nods, "You do understand what you agreed to right?"

...

"Yeah?" he says with some amount of confusion.

Veronica shakes her head, "Then you'll know you are almost guaranteed to lose, right?"

...

"No?"

She sighs and looks at the rest of the room, "The Trial by Combat is designed for two members of the Brotherhood. No weapons are allowed, by armour definitely is... You get where I'm going with this?"

A few in the room pale at the implications, Afton was sure if Anja looked like a regular person she'd be ashen too.

"So, the kid's gotta fight Hardin in Power armour?" Karl asks and Veronica nods.

"Both combatants would wear armour, to protect themselves from any permanent injury, and to display they prowess while wearing it. Since Afton left the Brotherhood, he has no armour to wear, I doubt Hardin will be willing to play fair, so he'll have to beat a man in full Power armour in a fistfight..." she says grimly.

Afton himself isn't all that worried... Even if Hardin had ten strength which was boosted by Power armour, making it eleven, Afton would still be stronger. The only issue that he could see would be actually striking him, he wasn't sure how many times he could punch armour like that without injury, or even if he'd get injured...

His [A Pool of Dead] Perk would quickly heal any wounds he'd sustain, and [Tremble before me!] would basically void any protection Hardin would have... He was confident in his victory, the only problem would be making sure Hardin wasn't smashed into a bloody smear during their fight... Afton imagined if he went all out the man would be turned into bloody jello inside his own armour.

He shrugs at their worried looks, "It's fine, I'd take Nyx over Power armour any day."

"I'd take you too, user." the AI chirps, causing a few in the group to lighten up. Afton had done many ridiculous, almost supernatural things in the past, if he said he could do something, he usually wasn't lying.

"Are you sure you can do this, sir?" Anja asks from the side, having not spoken at all since arriving here. He could see it in her eyes, she wasn't worried about herself, but for Afton... He wasn't sure whether to be happy at her loyalty or angry at her lack of self-preservation.

Regardless on these thoughts, he nods, "Yeah, trust me, I'll beat the shit out of him... The only problem is what happens afterwards... Say we get out of here in one piece, what then? The Legion are likely already broadcasting my affiliation with the Brotherhood as we speak, the NCR'll be our enemies, and so will the Brotherhood depending on how they react to me beating Hardin, as well as the technology we have to our disposal... They'd probably execute us if they realised what the Proton axes were, and that's not even the tip of the iceberg..."

Veronica sighs, "I'm not sure..." she admits.

Tamia just shrugs, "Don't worry about it, I'll have House vouch for you, the NCR won't do anything after that."

Karl just shakes his head, "That's only on the strip. Minute they have the chance, they'll do what they tried a couple months ago... I doubt they've forgotten the peculiarities they found in your body, kid. Plus, the Republic doesn't like other's having power."

Josie bites her lip, "I'm not sure I want to fight against the NCR... Despite it all, I still love my country." she says, and Boone nods in agreement.

"Look, we won't be hostile to them unless they attack us first. I don't want to make them our enemies, but if they force my hand there's nothing I can do." he states, Boone looks like he's about to speak up by the door to the room swings open, revealing a Knight in Power armour.

"The trial is set... Parker, Hardin may dislike me saying this but, you can always surrender... I know you aren't weak, but you could really get hurt here..."

Afton raises a brow, "I don't know who you are, but trust me, I've got this handled." he says with crossed arms.

The Knight sighs and raised their helm, revealing Miles Stanton, one of his old buddies underneath it. "You know what you're up against, right Afton?"

Afton smirks, "Don't you worry your pretty head Miles, Power armour or no, I'm gonna crack that Egghead and make a Paladin omelette."

Stanton just shakes his head and puts his helm back on. "Whatever you say, if you survive this you owe Melissa an explanation, she'll probably beat you harder than Hardin." he states before leading the group to the training room.

It was just how Afton remember, only that this time the entire Chapter seemed to be here... Apparently, Hardin wanted to make a display as his first act as Elder... Unfortunately for him, it'd likely be recorded in the scrolls as the first time an unarmed and unarmoured man beats an Elder in Powearmour.

Hardin was already standing in the middle of the room in full Power armour, his arms crossed as he looked at the group entering. "You're here. No point waiting any longer for this." he states before addressing the crowd, "This trial by combat is to decide the fate of Afton Parker's pet mutant. Should I win, it will be taken outside and exterminated. If I lose, it will be free to go. The rules are as follows... No weapons. No gadgets. We will fight until one cannot stand any longer, as tradition states, armour is allowed. Head Scribe Taggart will be responsible for adjudicating, do you have any question, Parker?"

Afton shakes his head and steps forwards, "None. Just make sure you stay true to your words." he states.